> Edinburgh Royal Mile DIY Walking Tour – Route Map <
Distance: 1 mile (surprisingly). Well, just over 1 mile actually; Duration: 30 mins-4 hours
The completely wheelchair accessible Edinburgh Royal Mile DIY Walking Tour covers a distance of just, yes, you guessed it, 1 mile (well, just over actually).
A simple 20-30 minute stroll.
However, factor in a journey time of at least 2-4 hours – as you should definitely visit Edinburgh Castle at the start, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the end (as well as a recommended visit to the Scotch Whisky Experience, along the way).
Plus, if you have also opted to stay at the Radisson Blu Edinburgh City Centre hotel (also most-definitely recommended – as it is right on the Royal Mile), you can use your very own room for a well-earned pitstop.
Although in theory, the walk along the Royal Mile can be made in either direction, you should be aware that the Royal Mile is a actually a rather steep hill (with Edinburgh Castle at the top of the hill, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the bottom). So it really is best to start at Edinburgh Castle – and it’s all downhill from there.
And because it’s a DIY walking tour of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, you can take it at your very own pace; stopping for a coffee/snack/drink where, when, and for as long as you like; and linger at the Edinburgh attractions which interest you (and speeding past those that don’t).
So if you were to simply rush round without stopping, you could easily complete the walk in 20 minutes.
However, I would recommend taking 2-4 hours to complete this route down the Royal Mile in Edinburgh – as there’s just so much to see and do.
Accessible Highlights:
Edinburgh Castle > Scotch Whisky Experience > Scottish Parliament > Palace of Holyroodhouse
Edinburgh Royal Mile DIY Walking Tour: Walking Directions
[The Royal Mile in Edinburgh is a straight downhill walk – so it’s almost impossible to get lost].
However, I definitely recommend that you follow the Google Streetview route of the entire Edinburgh Royal Mile DIY Walking Tour first, from the comfort of your own home before you head to Edinburgh, as this will allow you to better visualise the entire route before you arrive].
START: Edinburgh Castle Esplanade
[MAP]:
With Edinburgh Castle at your back, start walking downhill.
Although the Royal Mile is one continuous and straight road, the actual street name changes (Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High Street and finally Canongate).
The street-name of this first part of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile is Castlehill, and the roadway here is cobbled, (the pavements on either side are much smoother though).
In general, you will be following the pavement on the LEFT as you walk downill. However, as the first attraction that you should really visit is the Scotch Whisky Experience, and as it will be on your RIGHT, follow the RIGHTHAND pavement for the first few metres.
Scotch Whisky Experience
[MAP]:
After visiting the Scotch Whisky Experience, immediately cross Castlehill, and turn RIGHT/downhill – on the lefthand pavement, where you will immediately see the entrance to the Camera Obscura (NOT accessible though – so wheelchair users should simply continue down Castlehill).
Camera Obscura
[MAP]:
After visiting Camera Obscura, turn RIGHT and again follow Castlehill downhill, where you will see the spired Tolbooth Kirk on the RIGHT (the entrance is at the front of the building, at the junction where Johnston Terrace joins the Royal Mile.
Tolbooth Kirk (The Hub)
[MAP]:
The main spire of the magnificent Tolbooth Kirk is actually the highest point in central Edinburgh. Once the former home of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, it is now an Arts venue, and is the offices/central ticketing office for the Edinburgh International Festival (it also hosts Festival events itself too).
Outside of the Edinburgh Festival in August, the interior of the Tolbooth Kirk/The Hub is closed to the public. However, the front terrace is always open to visitors (where you can enjoy refreshments while overlooking the Royal Mile).
After visiting the Tolbooth Kirk/The Hub, return to the lefthand pavement of Castlehill, turn RIGHT, and continue walking downhill (the street is now called Lawnmarket), until you see the stunning St.Giles Cathedral on your right.
St.Giles Cathedral
[MAP]:
St.Giles Cathedral is open to visitors from 10am (9am on Saturdays) – but in the afternoon of Sundays only (as it’s actually a working church).
There is ramped access to the building (and within the main part of the church too – there are steps at the entrance of the Thistle Chapel though).
There are no public toilet facilities – but see a member of the Guiding staff in emergencies.
After visiting St.Giles Cathedral, again walk across the road, to the lefthand pavement (the streetname is now High Street), turn RIGHT again, and continue down the Royal Mile, past the imposing Edinburgh City Chambers building, until you see the iconic Tron Kirk building on the right.
Tron Kirk
[MAP]:
After visting the Tron Kirk, again cross to the LEFTHAND side of the Royal Mile (High Street), turn RIGHT again, and immediately cross the busy North Bridge at the Pedestrian Crossing.
Continue down the Royal Mile (High Street), passing the John Knox House, where the pavement narrows, until you see the Canongate Kirk on your left (the street here is now called Canongate too).
John Knox House & Canongate Kirk
Continue downhill until you see an old-fashioned pedestrian crossing on your RIGHT.
This is where you should now cross onto the RIGHT-HAND pavement of the Royal Mile.
At the end of the crossing, turn LEFT, and continue downhill until you see the side of the Scottish Parliament building (when you get to the end of the side of the building, turn RIGHT into Horse Wynd, where you will find the main visitor entrance to the Scottish Parliament).
Scottish Parliament
[MAP]:
The Scottish Parliament is open to visitors – plus free guided 45-minute tours are available.
Cafe, giftshop too – and all are wonderfully accessible.
When leaving the Scottish Parliament Building after your visit, cross Horse Wynd via the Pedestrian Crossing directly in front of you.
At the end of the crossing, walk STRAIGHT AHEAD/RIGHT-ISH to the visitor’s entrance of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
[MAP]:
YOUR EDINBURGH ROYAL MILE DIY WALKING TOUR NOW ENDS
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